A Wood Elf in Windhelm, Stranger in a Strange Land? Options

[haute ecole rider]

Welp it has been a few years (yikes, almost EIGHT??) since I last posted anything in the Fan Fiction forum. I've taken up writing once again now that I have a couple of voices talking in my head once again. I hope y'all enjoy this one . . .

Sundas 17 Last Seed - Candlehearth Hall

“Child!� Lili turned her gaze toward the source of the voice. “Get that mangy mutt out of here! And go home to your parents!�

Here we go again. Lili lowered her hood to show her face, lean, sharp featured and highlighted by slanted eyes. She lowered her hand to touch the dog’s ears, just as pointed as her own. “Forgive me, ma’am,� she kept her voice soft, pitched to carry across the room to the Nord innkeeper behind her counter. “I’ve traveled from across the sea. This dog followed me from the docks. I seek food, a bath, and a bed for both of us. And I assure you Star has been cleansed of any fleas or lice or other vermin. But if you wish,� she half turned to the door behind her, “I’ll go seek lodging somewhere else.�

“Wait!� The woman stepped from behind the counter and approached Lili, gesturing her to step into the pool of light from a nearby sconce. “Forgive me, given your size I thought . . .�

“I take it you don’t see many Bosmer here in Windhelm,� Lili countered softly. “It’s an honest mistake, ma’am.� She looked down at Star’s bright blue eyes. “I can pay for both of us, but I also have a pair of fat salmon -� she held up two fish from beneath her cloak “- I fished up off the docks this afternoon. If you’ll let me use your kitchen for a little while, I can cook it up for us.�

“Salmon?� The woman exclaimed. “Nonsense! Nils!� She called over her shoulder down the hallway extending to the rear of the inn. “My name’s Elda Early-Dawn, I run this inn.� She glanced warily at the black and white dog. “We typically don’t serve dogs in here . . .�

“I’m Lilisfina. That’s why I offered to cook for the both of us,� Lili assured her. “I did clean him up before we came up from the docks.�

“Wait, isn’t he the stray dog the Argonians feed from time to time?� Elda put her hands on her hips. “He’s not filthy, is he?�

“Not anymore,� Lili smiled at him and ruffled his scruff. “I made sure of it.�

Elda narrowed her eyes at the slight Bosmer. “How?� She leaned down slightly and sniffed audibly. “He doesn’t smell fishy, or wet.�

Lili sent a faint wave of restoration magic down his body. Elda gasped and hastily stepped back. Her hand crept to her throat and grasped a small amulet.

“I’ve been traveling all over Tamriel as healer,� Lili explained softly. “And learning as much as I can from fellow healers and mages.�

“Magic?� Elda exclaimed. “Goodness! Not here, nothing dangerous like that! That’s all best kept up at the College of Winterhold.�

Lili pulled the coin purse from her belt. “May I pay for a room, a bath, and the use of your kitchen, ma’am?�

A scruffy man appeared at Elda’s shoulder. “You called, ma’am?�

“Give Nils the salmon,� Elda took a deep breath and met Lili’s gaze. “You can have your choice from our menu, if you want to give that dog something other than fish. We’ll put the salmon on our menu for tonight, or you can have it prepared your way for yourself.� Lili turned to the wizened older man and held the fish to him. “As for the room and the bath, it would be ten drakes for the room and three for the bath.� Her gaze flickered to the dog. “It’d be extra if you bathe the dog too.�

Nils hefted the fish thoughtfully, then grinned in satisfaction at their weight. Lili smiled back, then turned to Elda. “The dog won’t appreciate the bath, but if you have a nice mutton bone left over from that stew I smell cooking he wouldn’t mind that.�

“That’s nice salmon, mind,� Nils exclaimed softly as he met Lili’s gaze. “Salmon my way, salmon your way, or our mutton stew?�

“Let me try the stew,� Lili answered. “I’ve had nothing but smoked fish on the way here.� She counted out the drakes and handed them to Elda. “And here’s three for the bath, and twenty for two nights in the room. Would that be acceptable?�

“Of course,� Elda exclaimed, palming the coins into the purse at her waist. Here’s a woman who knows the value of a good coin. “Follow me, ma’am.� She turned and followed Nils into the back hallway. While he continued down to the rear of the structure, Elda stopped at the first door on the left. She drew a key from her pocket, unlocked it and swung it open. “Does this suit you and your dog?�

“He’s not really my dog,� Lili remarked as she stepped in. “But he decided to follow me.�

“Likely because you fed him,� Elda muttered as Star followed after Lili, his white tipped tail waving over his back as he explored the room with his nose. “Well, do you want your bath first, or eat first?�

“It’s cold outside,� Lili set her pack onto the bed, “and it will take time to get a hot bath ready. I think I’ll eat that stew first.�

“And what would you like to drink?�

“Mead?� Lili asked. “I’ve heard so much about it, and I’d like to try some.�

“Mead it is!� Elda nodded emphatically. “Mind you, be careful with it until you get used to it.�

“I’m Bosmer,� Lili smiled. “Grew up on jagga and rotmeth.� Elda pulled a face. She’s actually tasted jagga or rotmeth?

“Head upstairs, and I’ll have Susanna bring you your meal,� she nodded at Star, “and a bone for that dog. He’d better behave himself!�

“Thank you very much, ma’am,� Lili cast a lock spell on her bag, then followed the Nord innkeeper out. At the taller woman’s gesture, she headed up the wide stairs to the main hall above.

The large space, tucked beneath the high steep roof, took up the entire length of the inn. A large flagstone hearth, its chimney holding up the centerline of the roof, took up the center of the room. The part of the room adjacent to the open stairway held three tables, all three occupied. Chairs were placed along the walls and around the fireplace. On the other side, to the rear, a slender Dunmer plucked at a lute, a plaintive melody drifting from her long fingers.

“Hello!� Another Nord woman, this one a bit younger, her abundant curves highlighted by a rather lightweight outfit, approached Lili. “I’m Susanna the Wicked. Have you already ordered something to eat or drink, ma’am?�

“Elda will be sending something up shortly,� Lili replied. “I’m Lilisfina. You don’t seem very wicked to me, Susanna.�

“Are you new to Skyrim, ma’am?� Susanna tucked her tray beneath one arm. At Lili’s nod, she leaned down slightly to speak softly. “Here in Skyrim, nicknames are meant to be ironic. They call Elda Early-Dawn because, well, she sleeps late most days.� She nodded at a slouched Nord, his winter cap askew over his ears. “And Rolff Stone-Fist, because he has a glass hand. Jaw, too, to tell the truth.� She touched the side of her nose with her finger. “I didn’t tell you that.�

Lili smiled back at her and mirrored her gesture. “Tell me what?� She looked around the room again.

“You’ll have to share a table with one of those men,� Susanna straightened up. She eyed Lili thoughtfully.

“Which one do you suggest?� Lili asked. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.�

“Hmm, the black beard nearest us is Captain Lonely-Gale. He’s nice enough, but he’s being - aggressively - pursued by a certain spinster. That makes him cranky when she’s been on him, and she should be coming in here soon.� She shook her head warningly. “Not good company then.� Her gaze shifted to the front wall. “The older gentleman in the left corner behind the stairwell is Adonato Leotelli. He’s a writer, and when he’s writing . . .�

Lili took in the bent head, the quivering quill and the sheets of parchment scattered across the table. “Resents any distraction?�

“And did Elda say you could bring your dog here?� Susanna tipped her head at the Skyrim Husky, who regarded the room from his seated position at Lili’s side. “Because Leotelli will complain about misbehaving dogs, barking and panting and breaking up his concentration.�

“He’s not my dog,� Lili corrected. “But I understand what you mean. I definitely wouldn’t want to interrupt the creative process.�

Susanna snorted softly. “Now that big one with the shaved head and fierce face,� she indicated the man in the opposite corner, scratched iron glimmering in the candlelight with each slow breath, “Stenvar’s a sellsword. Strongest sword arm in the North, if you believe him.� She regarded him with a fond expression. “He’s rough, and looks like an absolute brute, but I assure you, he’s a good man to know. He won’t mind your - the dog, either. If he’s got a temper, I haven’t seen it yet.�

“How would he feel about sharing a table with an Elf?� Lili asked. Susanna glanced sharply at her. “Oh, I heard Rolff Stone-Fist and one other man giving a Dunmer lady a hard time before I came in. Sounded like there’s a fair bit of resentment about them here in Windhelm.�

Susanna laid a finger on her lips. “We can talk about that another time, Lilisfina.� She waved toward the mercenary’s table. “Go on, sit there. I’ll bring you your meal right away!�

Lili and Star wove their way between the chairs toward the indicated table. She noticed the round shield and war axe leaning against a chair at the side of the table, then the hilt of a zwei-hander over the sellsword’s shoulder. He raised his blue gaze from his mug as she stopped beside the chair opposite him.

“May I?� Lili rested her hand on the back of the chair in question.

“Of course,� Stenvar straightened his shoulders slightly and waved his free hand in open invitation. As she took her seat, he clenched his hand and tapped his iron cuirass in greeting. “I’m Stenvar.�

“Lilisfina,� she put her palms together in front of her own chest and nodded once. “My pleasure.�

“Are you certain?� Stenvar’s voice rumbled softly, his eyes glinting with good humor. “I’d argue the pleasure is mine. It’s not often I get a beautiful lass ask to sit at my table.�

Lili regarded him thoughtfully. “Somehow I get the feeling plenty of beautiful ladies do more than just sit with you, sir.� She kept her tone light and soft, and lifted her right brow in challenge.

Stenvar grinned, then shook his head with a chuckle. “Not as many as you’d think, ma’am.�

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: I'm glad you liked how Lili used her magick to help Sten with the heavy lifting, as well as calling out the situation facing those with pointed ears and/or tails in Skyrim!

@Treydog: Thank you for pointing out Lili's generosity. As we come to know her better, this characteristic of hers will become one of her defining traits. And yes, she has a very practical regard for her magick - I suspect it comes from her Bosmer heritage.

@Sage Rose: Who needs sharks when we have slaughterfish! Ha! Good point you make - in spite of class exploitation we see throughout Skyrim, we are all equal before Arkay. I'm glad you enjoyed the bit of world building here in the Halls of the Dead, I have more for you today!

@Grits: I'm glad you interpreted Sten's slight shake of the head as tacit support of Lili's view and subsequent sharing of more of her coin with the Argonians. Scouts-Many-Marshes is as cool as they come, and his gripes are valid enough! I think folks will see how much I love Helgird in this newest installment - I always liked her character in the game, and she is my main healer in town whenever I get sick!

@Renee: Don't feel obligated to chime in after every installment, likewise don't feel compelled to keep quiet either. If you've got something to say, go ahead and say it! All feedback (as Sage Rose will tell you) is welcome! Like you, I'm a winter gal - nothing like horseback riding on a cold winter's day (and the mare I owned at the time felt the same way). The dog comes from A Dog's Life, by DarkFox127. The first mod of his that I used was A Cat's Life, which I love and adore and won't play without. Then he came out with A Bunny's Life, and I just love it too. So I have all three as part of my regular mod load out, along with Chesko's mods Frostfall, Campfire and Last Seed. As for switching perspectives, Stenvar was talking just as much as Lili in my ear, so I decided to alternate between the two of them. So Stenvar's Letters to Ma will preface his sections. I enjoy doing that, and it's fun. As for the horkers, she removed the Calm spell she had placed on them earlier, and their natural territorial tendencies won out when Lili and Sten dumped the two reavers in their midst. Thanks for your kind words regarding the fight scenes, I always find them difficult to write.

Speaking of Sten, we are back with him in this next bit of world building and character building.

***************************

Morndas 18 Last Seed - The Halls of the Dead

I’m back again. It has been a busy day. Lilisfina, the woman I told you about, and I went up to the wreck, only we discovered reavers led by none other than Black Cleitus! He’s been a real pain all along the coast from Dawnstar to Windhelm, and we finished him! Lilisfina was interesting to fight with. She stayed back and used magick to support me.

We found Leifgard and his cousin Einar, both dead. Einar was captured and tortured by the reavers, while Leifgard died of exposure to that terrible storm that came off the sea a few nights ago. Lilisfina bought all the bodies back, Leifgard and Einar with us in the reavers’ dingy, and the rest on a raft we towed behind us.

When we got back to Windhelm, I found out she had made friends among the Argonians that work the docks. They were very helpful in offloading the bodies and the loot we brought back. She paid them well, too - better than the Shatter-Shields, to hear them talk of it. She also insisted we bring Leifgard and Einar’s bodies to the Halls of the Dead right away, and offered to pay for their burials.

Oh, I almost forgot about the dog. Star, Lilisfina calls him. He was really helpful in the fights - he bit one in the back of the thigh, and Black Cleitus in the behind - both at just the right time. Not noisy, either, just a lot of growling and snarling in the actual fight.

I’m running out of paper. I’ll stop by the courier’s tomorrow and get more writing supplies. I’ll write more later!

Sten carefully laid out Leifgard’s body next to the brazier where it would thaw enough to be wrapped for burial later. “I see,� Lilisfina’s voice reached him. “Are these crypts older than Windhelm?�

Helgird joined Sten and used a warming spell on the frozen joints. “They do predate Ysgramor’s arrival,� she responded.

Sten became aware of Lilisfina’s gaze on him as he lifted Einar’s body to the adjacent bier. “What was that place where we stopped on the way out?� He nodded. �You lit a lantern there?�

Aware of Helgird’s swift glance at him, Sten took a breath. “That’s Yngold’s Tomb,� he responded. “He was one of Ysgramor’s sons, and was lost at sea when they first landed here.�

“So you paid respects?� Helgird nodded approvingly. “Good to know you remember our ancestors.�

“Doesn’t hurt to pause and pay homage at the tombs of our ancestors,� Sten stepped back and brushed his palms together. He met Lilisfina’s curious gaze. “We have a history going back generations here. And there are places even older, like this crypt. Who knows how many still have spirits of the Dragon cult lingering in them?�

Lilisfina’s right eyebrow rose. Is that skepticism? Or curiosity? “Dragon cult?� Her gaze rose to the stones above their heads. “There was an ancient Dragon cult in Elsweyr, I wonder if the two are related?�

“Elsweyr?� Helgird bent over Einar’s body, her gaze cataloging visible injuries. “The Khajiit homeland?�

“Yes, they have history going back to the First Era. Very fascinating.�

“So they’re more than thieves and beggars?� Helgird’s voice held no challenge, only curiosity. Both women are curious about each other’s knowledge.

“Of course, just like Nords are more than just berserkers and barbarians,� Lilisfina responded. Is she teasing Helgird? No one teases Helgird!

The glance Helgird sent Lilisfina’s way as she moved to Leifgard’s body held a glimmer of amusement. Then she turned back to her work as she evaluated the larger corpse. “Hmm, no injuries on this one. Frostbite, signs of cold exposure.� She looked up at Sten. “I suspect he froze to death in that storm.�

“I suspect so too,� Sten agreed. “There was no firewood at the camp, and I think they ran out of fuel for the fire. Lilisfina,� he indicated the Wood Elf standing beside the fisherman, “thinks Einar went over to The Winter War to try and get some wood, but the reavers caught him.�

“As a priest of Arkay, I’m supposed to be objective and treat everyone the same in death, good or evil.� Her lips thinned. “But I’m glad to hear those reavers are now dead.� She turned to Lilisfina. “And I suppose you are from Valenwood? Your accent is different from the other Wood Elves I’ve met.�

Lilisfina nodded. Sten caught something flicker in her eyes. Bad memories? Sad ones? “Not much left of it, thanks to the Thalmor.�

“So you have no homeland now,� Helgird’s quiet voice turned even softer. She moved to an alcove set back from the biers and began decanting the anointing oil into a small bowl. “You’ve come a long way, lass.�

“And taken a long time to travel it, priestess,� Lilisfina responded. “Please tell me more about Arkay. He is little known to us in Valenwood.�

“Arkay is known as the Lord of the Wheel of Life. He is associated with both life and death, and with the four seasons of the year.� Helgird carried the bowl of oil to the biers. “As priests of Arkay, we bless the dead so they can not be raised by necromancers. That was the first rite performed when the first priests of Arkay converted these crypts to the Halls of the Dead.�

Never thought her the religious type, Sten watched as Lilisfina rubbed her nose. “So there can’t be any undead here in the crypts?� she asked.

“Correct,� Helgird nodded. “If you wish, you may stay and witness the Blessing of Arkay on these two unfortunates.�

Sten caught Lilisfina’s glance at him. “If I’m not intruding, I’d like to, yes please.� He shrugged.

“As you like,� he answered. Sten watched as Helgird stepped between the two biers and placed the bowl on a low table set between the biers. She moved her hands in ritual gestures over the bronze brazier, and the fire changed from orange to blue in response to her murmured incantations.

After she held the bowl of oil over the fire for a few moments, Helgird picked up a sprig of pine needles from the table and dipped it into the oil. She sprinkled the oil over Leifgard’s body from head to toe, all the while chanting softly.

Arkay, God of the Cycle of Birth and Death
He who watches over mortal Time
Take this humble Soul
And consecrate flesh and bone.

She repeated the same over Einar’s emaciated form. Then she stepped back to swing the pine branch between the two bodies.

Arkay, Bringer of Light
Guard these bones
And take the souls to eternal rest.

Helgird set the bowl softly on the table and laid the pine branch in the brazier. As the scent of burning balsam filled the crypt, she bowed her head in silence. As Sten did the same, he caught Lilisfina mirroring them.

After a few slow breaths, Helgird raised her head and snuffed the blue flame with one hand. She turned to Sten with a question in her eyes.

“Thank you, priest of Arkay,� he touched his left fist to his chest. Helgird inclined her head to him and turned to Lilisfina with an expectant expression.

Lilisfina stepped forward and laid three gold coins on the low table between them. “Thank you, priest,� she said softly.

“We do not charge so much for our burials,� Helgird did not pick up the coins.

“Consider it an offering to Arkay,� Lilisfina insisted, her voice still soft. “The service you perform here is invaluable.�

Puzzled, Helgird tipped her head to one side.�What did you get out of our service? Did you sense Arkay this evening?�

Lilisfina shrugged. “What I felt was a sense of peace,� she explained. “No evil lingers here, no restless souls.� Sten heard her sigh. “I’ve been in places where the dead is restless, unable to sleep their eternal rest.� She shuddered and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I sense that won’t happen here.�

“Do your people worship Arkay at all?� Helgird asked. “You said he is little known there.�

“We do invoke him when judging crimes against the Green Pact.� Lilisfina paused. “But our main god is Y’ffre, and Y’ffre is whom I follow.�

“Y’ffre?� Helgird repeated. She returned the bowl to its alcove. “Tell me about them.� That wasn’t a request, but a demand. Knowledge for knowledge.

“We call him the Storyteller,� Lilisfina did not seem offended by Helgird’s manner. “He created all of Nirn as we know it through stories. He sang to Aetherius, compelling the stars to dance and sway. That is why they twinkle in our sky today.�

“Interesting that our existence should be the result of divine Song,� Helgird mused.

“We don’t have priests,� Lilisfina continued. “We have Spinners. They recite the histories and laws of our people, and tell of events that have happened, is happening, and is yet to happen. They remind us that Y’ffre sang the Green from the Ooze, and gave us the Green Pact.�

“The Green Pact?� Sten broke in cautiously. “Isn’t that cannibalism?� He became aware of Helgird’s thoughtful gaze on him, and fought the temptation to hide behind the biers.

“It preserves the Green,� Lilisfina paused for a breath. “Do not harm the forests of Valenwood. Do not eat anything made from plant life. Eat only meat. When enemies are conquered, their meat must be eaten, not left to rot. Do not kill wastefully. Do not take on the shape of beasts.�

Sten considered her words. “Eat the meat of enemies? Will you do that with the reavers we killed?�

“I am not in Valenwood anymore,� Lilisfina shook her head. “The Green Pact does not apply outside our living forests. And the custom of eating our enemies have fallen into disuse since the Second Era.� She bared her teeth. “See, we no longer file our teeth into points to better eat mortal meat.�

Sten decided to match her teasing. “Not sure if that makes me feel better.� He was rewarded by her soft chuckle. Sten turned to Helgird in time to see the slight smile disappear from her serious face. “Thank you again, Helgird.�

“You’re welcome, Stenvar,� Helgird responded. “Leifgard and Einar grew up here, I’m glad you brought them home to their final rest.�

“I’m grateful Lilisfina insisted we bring them home in the dinghy,� Sten made sure to include the Wood Elf. “She used a feather spell so we could also bring the reavers in on a raft, but not necessarily out of respect for them.�

“But not to eat them, I take it?� Helgird turned to Lilisfina with a raised brow. Lilisfina grinned back and shrugged.

“I doubt Nils at Candlehearth would want to cook something of them.�

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Jul 27 2024, 03:51 AM